Debt disaster? Five funds to beat a US sell-off

The US government shutdown combined with growing concern over the country's debt ceiling have led to renewed fears US equity markets could sell off heavily if the impasse continues.

So far the S&P 500 has remained fairly static in the face of growing unease over the US' debt problems, but experts are warning it could suffer sharp falls if the political deadlock continues. The US has a current deadline of 17 October to decide what to do about its debt ceiling, but with Republicans refusing to approve an extension unless President Obama's healthcare plans are delayed, and Obama rejecting that in turn, there is a very real possibility of the government defaulting. The US Treasury has said measures to avoid exceeding the staggering $16.7trn cap will be exhausted by t...